LAPD Police Shooting - A homeless man has been shot dead by LA police officers on a Skid Row sidewalk during a tussle over an officer's gun.
The fatal incident, which happened on Sunday morning, was captured on video by a bystander on his cell phone.
Cmdr. Andrew Smith said officers allocated to the LAPD's Central Division and Safer Cities Initiative - a task force assigned to Skid Row - responded to the scene around Sunday noon after receiving a 911 call reporting a suspected robbery.
Reports indicate that when officers arrived they approached the victim and made contact. He is report to have immediately "began fighting and physically resisting the officers."
LA police officers tried to take the man, whose identity has not been released into custody, they even used a taser, but according to Smith it was "ineffective."
The man, who according to reports was nicknamed "Africa," had reportedly been living on the streets for about five months. Reports indicate that the victim continued struggling with officers and at some point pushed some of them to the ground.
"At some point in there, a struggle over one of the officer's weapons occurred," Smith explained. "At that point an officer-involved shooting happened."
According to the LA Times, two officers and a sergeant opened fire on the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. It's still not clear exactly how many officials fired at the man. However, at least five shots can be heard in the amateur video of the shooting.
Authorities did not recover any other gun at the scene; it's still unclear if the victim had any weapons in his possession.
Two offices involved in the struggle were transported to a local hospital where they received treatment. The extent of their injuries has not been specified.
Investigators say they are aware of the video recording of the incident and would use audio enhancement software to decipher who said what and when.
"Of course we're aware of the video," Smith said. "Any video that shows someone losing their life in an altercation with police is going to be disturbing. It is disturbing for police officers to watch."
"It's always tragic when there's a loss of life in one of these situations," he said."It's not an incident taken lightly by any police officer. But we are committed to everyone involved and to the public to conduct a thorough and complete investigation."
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